Meidung als Alltagshandlung in langfristigen Abhängigkeitsbeziehungen : Schwangere Frauen mit HIV/AIDS und ihre Kommunikation in asymmetrischen Machtverhältnissen

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Kroeker, Lena:
Meidung als Alltagshandlung in langfristigen Abhängigkeitsbeziehungen : Schwangere Frauen mit HIV/AIDS und ihre Kommunikation in asymmetrischen Machtverhältnissen.
In: Zeitschrift für Ethnologie. Vol. 139 (2014) . - pp. 179-198.
ISSN 0044-2666

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Abstract in another language

This article analyses the avoidance of conflicts. Avoidance as conflict mode was previously addressed in political anthropology, yet, I found it to be a common way among HIV-positive pregnant women in Lesotho in their interaction with hospital staff and family elders. I argue that avoidance is a useful tool of conflict management in longterm social relationships and when in need for on-going col laborations such as with family member and with medical staff treating chronic diseases. So far, avoidance is mostly described in the form of physical distance (Hirschman 1974; Elwert 2004; Inhetveen 2006). Adding to this form I found furthermore five types of avoidance in the inter action of pregnant women living with HIV and their interaction with medical personal and elders. These types are grudging compliance, evasion, lying, disturbances, and involving a messenger. I resume that subordinate parties in relationships with asymmetric power relations use avoidance as an active and creative way to influence decision making processes in longterm relationships. These relations are kept in tact since open confrontations are avoided and the subordinate party keeps face